SORGHUM SACCHARATUM.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 100, 16 August 1873, Page 3

SORGHUM SACCHARATUM.

Puk billowing notes, respecting tlio planting fert.hzaHon of the noil, and cultivating tho ‘‘ BOrßo> ’ cano * aro extracts from tho Sorgo Jouriinl, published in Cincinnati, United States J -—• f Pumt as early as the season and condition of U, ° grouud Wl!i vegetation. If the

sen-ion is cold, and tho ground wot, the seed is W ; ! '; fc V ot " Plattt ahaUovr sif in heavy wet «on, ( oarely beneath tho surface. Bid, bottom ian may bo planted or drilled throe and a half or lour feet between _ the rows, and eighteen indies between the hills. Lighter lands should bo pi anted four by three and a half or four by four feet. Six or eight seeds to tho hill ' ar « usually required to give a good stand. Tho germination of the seed is hastonrd by soaking or scalding before planting, provided the seed after being thus started is planted in damp well-prepared ground ; but if tho condition of the soil and weather, after planting, is not such aa to favour the immediate growth of the seed, it i s moro liab.e to perish than if planted in tho natural a..me. I. desired to soalc and start tho seed, put it info a coarse sack, immerse in a, tub of hot waair, avowing n, to remain an hour or two • tnen, aiter draining the water from the seed nut ’?, ea< ,i l ! ! a , baski!t a warm room, covering with o.d blankets to retain tho boat and moisture! i bo sera will germinate in from 24 to 4S honm and should then bo planted. Fertilise if necessary with any well rotted manure, avoiding rank, stable, or mg manure. Where the lands have oeen long cropped, artificial fertilisers and guano are o.ton used, but they aro not appropriate on comparatively now lands. Ground piaster, limo and a BJ ,e B are famieved to bo appropriate anywhere. Cmuvam early and often until the plants gob a good-sfart. Most varieties of cano afford a weak sickly-looking growth for a few weeks after tho snoots appear above tho ground, and tho weeds arc likely to get the mastery. Planters havo in some instances, when not acquainted with tho intuits of the cano become dhguated w»‘th the puny appearance of the young pi au t a , nnd ploughed thorn up. There is no occasion for uneasiness if the seeds germinate. The plants Bcem to hang lire for a few weeks, but they are only waiting to got a ‘ good ready,’ and thou they shoot up astonishingly. As soon as possible after .be cano comes up, thin out to from four to eight plants m a lull. Use only shallow-working implements after tho cane becomes two or t\vo% icet nigh as the roots by this time permeate the whole ground from row to row, and the growl* 13 d , Wttriot * h ’’ doR P Ploughing. Late cultivation pto.OMgs tue growing and retards maturity ; hence-, d tho season ia backward, cease working and let tho cane uast.cn to maturity. Do not make the mistake ot allowing tho cane to bo fully ripe before harvesting. Cut and work it as soon as the seeds cu um majority of them are formed and before tiii-y Degin to harden.” The object of tho distribution of this seed ia to ascertain whether tho plant when grown in New Zealand will havo tho same valuable simar-pro-duemg qualities that it has elsewhere. Wo have been .requested to distribute the seed amongst the eccuers of Tuumnga in small quantities qrativ and whoever undertakes to grow, should furnisha few moms of the npo plant to tho Government’ Laooratory for the purpose of determining the ..mount of sugar whicti they produce. Wo shall bo nappy when the time ioL* tonransmit the hand ® ° f th ° Provin Score-